Window-shade fixture.



UNITED STATES atented November 17, 1903.

JOHN WHEAT, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

WINDOW-SHADE FIXTURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 744,269, dated November 17, 1903.

I Application filed OGtObel 30, 1902- Serial No. 129,385. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it knownthat I, JOHN WHEAT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Decatur', in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window- Shade Fixtures, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a window-shade fixture, and has for its object the provision of a supporting device adapted to be adjustably secured in position at either side of a window-casing or the like and provided with means for supporting both a curtain-pole and a shade-roller.

The present invention is an improvement upon that disclosed in my former patent,

granted June 18, 1901, No. 676,454, and novel details in the construction and operation of the several parts hereof will be apparent upon an inspection of the accompanying drawings when read in connection with the detailed description hereinafter.

In the drawings the preferable embodiment of the invention is illustrated; but it is not the intention to be limited to the precise construction shown except in so far as any such limitations are defined by the appended claims.

Figure l of the drawings is a front elevation of a fixture embodying my invention, showing the same in position to be applied to the side of a window-casing. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear View of a portion of the fixture, showing the locking device; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the shade-brackets, one of' which is adapted to be supported at each side of the windowcasing. v y

As the fixtures are readily interchangeable and may be positioned at either side of the casing, it will be necessary to refer to but one side of the casing-and a single fixture.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to corresponding parts in theseveral views, A designates the side of a window-casing of the ordinary style, which projects slightly beyond the surface of the wall, and B represents the fixture secured thereon. The fixture comprises oppositely-disposed angle-brackets C C, adaptedy to fit over the corners of the casing, the points c of the rearwardly-extending portion c of said brackets being turned inwardly into a position to be forced into or embedded in the casing when the brackets are drawn together. This rearwardly-extending portion c of each bracket is formed with a lateral guide d, struck out from the upper portion of the same, and a pocket ol, having a closed bottom, the pocket being preferably located at the lower portion of the member c and in vertical alinement with the guided. A curtain-pole support D of ordinary configuration, having a straight vertical shank or stern d", is adapted to be inserted into and detachably supported by the guide and pocket heretofore referred to.

One of the brackets C has rigidly secured thereto a rack E, toothed,preferahly,throughout the whole of its upper edge and ofa sufticient length to extend across the ordinary window-casing and over the face of the opposite bracket. Adapted to slidably iit over this rack and be readily adjustable to various positions therealong are brackets F and G, adapted to support one end ofa shade-roller. (Not shown.) The inner end of these brackets is formed with a return bend f, extending parallel to the main portion f thereof and connected to said main portion atf. The portions f and f have alined slots c arranged transversely of the same and adapted to slide over the rack E into any position desired, when the upper edges of the portions of the bracket surrounding the slots will seat between the teeth of the rack and prevent movement of the bracket longitudinally of the rack until the former is elevated above the teeth.

To draw the two brackets C together in binding them in place upon the window-cas ing, I provide a pivoted dog H, supported upon an upright H', rigidly secured to the face of one of the brackets O by pins h or other suitable securing means and arranged between said upright and said bracket, so as to shift across the face of and engage the teeth of the rack E, which also passes between the said upright andbracket, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The length of the dog is somewhat greater than the vertical distance between its pivot and the teeth of the rack, so that when an operating-lever J, connected to the dog, is thrown from the position shown in fnll lines in Fig. l to that shown in dotted lines in the same figure the tooth of the dog will engage the rack and draw the same in the direction of the arrow, whereby the brackets C will be caused to approach each other and the points c' thereof forced into the windowframe. Owing to the length of the dog relative to the vertical distance between its pivot and the teeth of the rack when the dog approaches a vertical position the rack at its free end will be sprung slightlyin a downward direction, so that when the dog is shifted beyond a vertical position the rack will spring back into its normal position and prevent a reverse movement of the dog, thereby securely locking the parts in place.

Of course the rack Eis of sufficient rigidity to resist the ordinary downward pull exerted upon a shade during its operation, the spring action referred to being attained by locating the actuating-lever and dog at the extreme free end of the rack, thereby securing the greatest possible leverage when clam ping the angle-brackets in place. It is to be also noted that the brackets F or G for the shade-roller are normally adjacent to the fixed end of the rack, which is the end of the fixture adapted for the inner side of the window-casing.

It will be understood that minor changes in the details and construction of the several parts may be made without departing from the .spirit of the invention. For instance, to further insure a lockingtogetherof the parts the upright II may have an odset portion or finger 7L arranged to engage the edge of the lever J, as shown in Fig. 2, when the lever occupies the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. l.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fixture of the character described provided with a rack having teeth at its upper edge, and a bracket having slotted parallel portions adapted to slidably engage said rack and seat between the teeth thereof; substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a fixture of the character described, oppositely-disposed angle-brackets,means for clamping the same to a supporting member, one of the brackets having an apertured guide struck out therefrom, and a pocket at the lower portion thereof in alinement with the guide, a supporting device, having a shank or stem provided with an elongated straight portion arranged to be removably inserted into said pocket and through the guide to be supported thereby, a rack rigidly secured to the opposite angle-bracket and toothed on its upper edge, and abracket having slotted parallel portions adapted to slidably engage said rack and seat between the teeth thereof.

3. In a xture of the character described, oppositely-disposed brackets, means for causing the brackets to approach including a toothed rack rigidly secured to one of the brackets and loosely associated with the opposite bracket, and a pivoted dog mounted upon said opposite bracket arranged to engage the toothed rack, said dog being of a length greater than the distance between its pivotal point and the base of the teeth of the rack whereby the dog when shifted to a vertical position will spring the rack slightly7 out of its normal position, and when shifted beyond said vertical position will be prevented from moving backward by the springing of the rack to its normal position, and a bracket having slotted parallel portions adapted to slidably engage said rack and seat between the teeth thereof.

4. In a fixture of the character described, oppositely-disposed brackets, means for causing the brackets to approach including a toothed rack rigidly secured to one of the brackets and loosely associated with the opposite bracket, an upright secured to said opposite bracket and projecting outside the rack, a dog pivotally mounted between said upright and the bracket and arranged to en' gage the teeth of the rack, said dog being of a length greater than the distance between its pivotal point and the base of the teeth of the rack whereby the dog when shifted to a vertical position will spring the rack slightly out of its normal position, and when shifted beyond said vertical position will be prevented from moving backward by the springing of the rack into its normal position, and means whereby the dog may be operated, and a bracket having slotted parallel portions adapted to slidably engage said rack and seat between the teeth thereof.

5. In a fixture of the character described, oppositely-disposed brackets, means for causing the brackets to approach including a toothed rack rigidly secured to one of the brackets and loosely associated with the opposite bracket, and a pivoted dog mounted upon said opposite bracket arranged to engage the toothed rack, a lever for actuating said dog, a stop also mounted upon said opposite bracket arranged to be engaged by the lever to limit themovement thereof, and a bracket having slotted parallel portions adapted to slidably engage said rack and seat between the teeth thereof.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN VHEAT.

Witnesses:

W. F. PICKLE, S. A. HOOKER.

ICO

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